Detroit, MI – U.S. Marshal Robert M. Grubbs
announces the launch of a new ability for the public to assist the U.S.
Marshals Detroit Fugitive Apprehension Team (DFAT) track down wanted
fugitives. The Task Force is now able to receive anonymous tips from the
public via text message or web tip. This was previously unavailable and
tipsters were limited to calling in tips to the toll free hotline (866)
4WANTED. While that method is still available
and very successful, tipsters will now also have the option to text in tips
and continue to remain anonymous, if they so desire. The tipster and the
tipster’s phone number remain anonymous to law enforcement unless the
tipster chooses to identify themselves.

Tipsters are now able to send a tip to the Task Force by
texting keyword “DFAT” and your tip to
847411 (tip411).
Investigators will be able to view the tip and even send a text back to the
tipster to ask for follow up information. The tipster can then choose to
continue the text conversation or discontinue and terminate the
communication. Regular text fees will apply based on the tipsters service
plan.

In addition to texting in a tip, tipsters can also submit
a web tip. Tipsters can go to
http://www.usmarshals.gov/district/mi-e/fugitives to view pictures of
the Task Force’s most wanted. On that page, is the ability to click a button
which will redirect the user to the website to submit a web tip which works
the same way as the text tip.

The technology is available from a company called Citizen
Observer which specializes in providing this service to law enforcement
agencies. Their service guarantees that the tipster and the tipster’s phone
number remain anonymous to the law enforcement agency unless the tipster
chooses to identify themselves.

The U.S. Marshal led Detroit Fugitive Apprehension Team
has brought together some of the best federal, state, and local fugitive
hunters the Eastern District of Michigan has ever seen.

U.S. Marshal Robert M Grubbs stated, “This new tool
provides the public with yet another method of delivering valuable
information to our Task Force to utilize when pursuing these wanted violent
fugitives. We are optimistic that this will lead to many arrests as our tip
phone line has thus far.”